Wales are set for a far east tour this Summer as they take on Japan in a two match Test Series. The last time Wales was in the Land of the Rising Sun, they were competing for silverware at the 2019 Rugby World Cup as they took on South Africa in the semi-finals.
However, this time around when Wales head to Japan to face Eddie Jones’ men, they will go there on the back of losing 17-consecutive Test matches.
Ruck Rugby understands that Matt Sherratt will be announced as the interim head coach for the second time and this will be alongside the squad announcement on Tuesday afternoon (12:00pm).
That squad however, will be without the duo of Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams who were named in Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions squad which will tour Australia. Morgan definitely shone in a Six Nations campaign which saw his side claim their second consecutive wooden spoon and Williams certainly earned his call-up after a brilliant season with Gloucester Rugby.
Wales will travel to both Kitakyushu and Kobe in early July, and unlike past tours when Lions Series’s have been on, this may not have a similar feeling when it comes to the players selected.
The trends of previous tours coinciding with Lions series’s saw some players make their debuts (2013 and 2017), and this was due to the high number of Welsh players included in the Lions squad. Despite only the two players being included this time around it may not be a development tour.
So, with the conclusion of the United Rugby Championship (URC) regular season on the weekend, some players will be jetting back from South Africa with the thought of their inclusion in Sherratt’s squad. This is despite all the speculation of the Welsh Rugby Union reducing the regional clubs to just three, which will be certainly on all of the players’ mind as they head back home.
Scroll down to see who Ruck Rugby believes should be named in the Wales squad that will tour Japan.
Morgan Morse (Ospreys)
After having a stellar Wales U20’s showing, where he was first picked at just 17-years-old, Morse has shown all the qualities to have a strong future in the top end of the game.
Many former players have called for his inclusion in the touring squad and with the likes of Taulupe Faletau nearing the end of his playing career the 20-year-old number eight ticks all the boxes. All he needs is the experience and that is certainly something that Sherratt needs to take into account when selecting his squad.
Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby)
The call for back-row selection is definitely a hotly contested area in Wales with a number of candidates putting their names forward.
Mann was included in Wales’ squad last season and has been extremely influential in the Blue and Blacks’ season which saw them finish just outside of the playoffs in ninth. He’s great value around the breakdown area and undoubtedly has been motivated to make his return to the Welsh setup this summer.
Josh Macleod (Scarlets)
Sticking in the back-row, captain of the Scarlets Macleod has had an outstanding season. He has been hugely influential in his sides qualification for the knock out stages of the URC after a brilliant end to the season which saw them claim victories over Leinster and the Emirates Lions.
In recent times, he’s been knocking on the door of being selected but fitness has been an issue but surely this time around he’ll be given the chance to shine on the international stage.
Macs Page (Scarlets)
If Sherratt’s plan is to look to the future and potentially start developing players for the 2027 World Cup, then perhaps the gamble of including Page maybe on the table.
He signed his first senior contract with the Parc y Scarlets side after breezing through the Academy system and in his 17 appearances he has scored five tries. A former Swansea City football academy player, has definitely carried over his extremely good footwork with that being a highlight for this season.
Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys)
Morgan-Williams like Page, will be aiming for a first call-up to the international stage and with Williams on Tour down-under, perhaps that has strengthened his chances. Kieran Hardy may have something to say about that, as both scrum-halves have been in fine form. This is another position that is highly competitive within the game in Wales.
Ben Carter (Dragons RFC)
For some readers, you’re probably thinking the inclusion of Carter in this list is because we wanted all four regions represented. However, with injuries to Adam Beard and Rhys Davies, the 24-year-old’s chances of being called up has increased.
Despite the underwhelming season that only saw his side win 1 game, Carter has been certainly one of the standouts for Dragons RFC in recent seasons. He has missed six months due to injury, but during that period it is apparent that he used that time to buildup his muscle mass and will be hoping for the chance to show his worthiness on the Tour.
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